Neighbors mad about noisy McCartney wedding party
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and his wife American heiress Nancy Shevell leave Marylebone Registry Office, following their wedding in central London last Sunday. AP
LONDON—Once a rocker, always a rocker.
Former Beatle Paul McCartney, known in his early days for the earsplitting volume of his Little Richard covers, got in trouble with noise enforcement officers who visited his London home early Monday morning after neighbors complained about the loud music coming from his late-night wedding party.
Officials said McCartney — one of the most famous musicians in the world — agreed to turn down the music. He does not face any legal problems because of the raucous party, which followed his Sunday afternoon wedding to Nancy Shevell, the dark-haired American who became his third wife after four years of dating.
“Officers visited and the volume was reduced on request,” said Andrew Ralph, head of noise and licensing at Westminster City Council. “No further action is being taken.”
McCartney’s neighbors in the affluent St. John’s Wood neighborhood, which also includes the Abbey Road studios where the Beatles recorded their classic albums, were complaining about recorded music, not McCartney’s own performance, which included an emotional new ballad he wrote for his 51-year-old bride.
He could have formed a world-class band with his guests if he really wanted to rattle the neighbors. It would have featured McCartney on bass, Ringo Starr on drums, the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood on guitar along with Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, and stalwart Jools Holland on keyboards.
Some of the music was provided by a DJ set by Mark Ronson, a mentor to the late Amy Winehouse who is close friends with the late John Lennon’s son Sean. The wedding took place on what would have been Lennon’s 71st birthday.
The party also drew broadcaster David Frost, 1960s supermodel Twiggy, and George Harrison’s widow, Olivia.
According to British press reports, McCartney, 69, asked his guests not to post pictures from the wedding service on social networking sites.
At the reception, roughly 100 guests were served chilled champagne and a variety of vegetarian dishes such as salmon risotto.
The couple have not said when they will go on their honeymoon.
McCartney announced Monday that he will add three UK concert dates — including a performance in his home town of Liverpool — to his already hectic tour schedule.
